Clashes in national protest in Chile |
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Wed, 29 Aug 2007 18:09
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SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) - Police used tear gas and water cannons against demonstrators staging nationwide protests Wednesday over government social and economic policies. At least 56 people were detained.Police repeatedly blocked protesters from marching toward the center of Chile's capital, but demonstrators blocked traffic at some key intersections. Police reported 56 people had been detained.The country's largest union federation called the protests of free-market economics and 'the social policies of this government, which is doing things very badly,' said union leader Arturo Martinez, member of President Michelle Bachelet's Socialist Party.Bachelet appeared especially upset that some members of her own coalition were backing the protests.'I am not going to accept that my dedication to social justice is not recognized,' she said Monday night.Chile's center-left government has maintained a largely free-market economic model, which includes free-trade agreements with the United States and other countries.Protest organizers called for higher pensions and better education, health and housing services.Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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